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SUN Bucks - 211 San Joaquin | Get Connected. Get Help.

SUN Bucks

Agency: CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES (CDSS)

  • Description:

    Helps families with eligible school-age children buy groceries during the summer when kids might not have access to school meals.

    SUN Bucks are put on an EBT card. Each eligible child in your family will get one card with $120 to buy groceries – that’s $40 per month for June, July, and August. Regardless of when the card is received, every SUN Bucks card will be loaded with the full $120 per child.

    ​SUN Bucks must be used within 122 days of funds being loaded to your card. Any unused money on your card after 122 days will expire. Expired benefits cannot be replaced or put back on your card.

    Estimated card delivers by last name: 

    • Last name starting A-D: mid-June
    • Last name starting E-L: July
    • Last name starting M-Z: August



    • Phone:

    Email: piar@dss.ca.gov
    Website: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks

    Program Hours

  • Hours: Mon: 8am - 5pm; Tue: 8am - 5pm; Wed: 8am - 5pm; Thu: 8am - 5pm; Fri: 8am - 5pm;

    • Location(s)

    Program Delivery

    • Eligibility: *Children ages 6-18 years who get CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal (certified at or under 185% of the Federal Poverty Level). *Children ages 0-22 years who attend a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and are determined eligible for free or reduced-price meals based on a school meal application or Alternative Income Form. *Children who are attending Head Start, experiencing homelessness, living in foster care or part of a migrant family are also eligible.
    • Languages: English
    • Application Process: Eligible children are automatically enrolled
    • Program Fees: Free
    • Required Documents: Children attending public school who have not previously qualified for free or reduced-price meals may also qualify for SUN Bucks. To check if your children are eligible, ask your child’s school for a school meal application or an Alternative Income Form. Complete the form and return it to the school before August 31. They will evaluate the form and determine if your children are eligible for SUN Bucks.

      • Service Area

    • Defined Coverage Area: N/A